Taylor: Tuition freeze effort to expand Iowa’s middle class

Sep 19, 2013

DES MOINES — For the first time in more than 30 years, Iowa families won’t see an increase in undergraduate tuition at Iowa’s three public universities — Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.

The tuition freeze is the result of a bipartisan agreement reached during the 2013 session of the Iowa Legislature.

“It’s a big win for Iowa families,” said State Sen. Rich Taylor of Mount Pleasant. “Their voices helped convince legislators to invest more in our universities, enough to freeze Iowa undergraduate tuition for the first time in 30 years.”

The average graduate from one of Iowa’s public universities enters the job market with almost $27,000 in student loan debt, an amount that has increased by 57 percent in just the last 10 years.

“Keeping our great public universities affordable for Iowa families is essential to our state’s future,” said Taylor. “It is one way we can keep Iowa a great place to live and grow our economy.”

The in-state tuition freeze is part of Taylor’s successful push last spring to strengthen and expand Iowa’s middle class.

He also helped pass a tax cut for working families, a new push to help low skilled workers qualify for higher skill, hard-to-fill jobs, and a commercial property tax cut with a special focus on helping small and Main Street businesses.

“This year’s tuition freeze makes it a little easier for Iowa families achieve their goals for their children,” said Taylor. “It is a key part of building a stronger, brighter future for our state.”